OpenAI stands by decision to fire Sam Altman despite pressure: US media

NEW YORK - The board of ChatGPT creator OpenAI rejected pressure from Microsoft and other major investors to reverse its stunning decision to fire CEO Sam Altman, US media reported.

OpenAI and Altman rocketed to fame with the launch of ChatGPT last year, showcasing advances in generative artificial intelligence that set off a gold rush in the sector.

But the company's board shocked the industry on Friday by removing co-founder Altman, prompting other high-profile departures as well as a reported push by major investors to bring the 38-year-old back.

The board stood by its decision in a memo sent to employees on Sunday night, saying it was "the only path to advance and defend the mission of OpenAI," The New York Times reported.

"Put simply, Sam's behavior and lack of transparency in his interactions with the board undermined the board's ability to effectively supervise the company in the manner it was mandated to do," the board said in the memo, according to the Times.

The OpenAI board also appointed Emmett Shear, a former chief executive of Amazon's Twitch streaming service, as the interim CEO, it added.

When the OpenAI board announced Altman's exit last week, it said chief technology officer Mira Murati would become the interim CEO.

The developments on Sunday were also reported by Bloomberg and tech industry news site The Information.

AFP has reached out to OpenAI for comment.